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Hanaud walked away from the Villa Rose in the coo and lunch," he said

"Yes; come to my hotel," said Harry Wethermill But Hanaud shook

his head

"No; come with me to the Villa des Fleurs," he replied "Wethere; and in a case like this every minute is of

importance We have to be quick"

"I erly

"By all means," replied Hanaud, with a s could be estions"; and

with that remark he walked on silently

Mr Ricardo was in a little doubt as to the exact significance of

the words But he was too excited to dwell long upon therief, he could

not but assume an air of importance All the artist in him rose

joyfully to the occasion He looked upon hihtest justification that people were

pointing hiation

at the Villa Rose," he sees he could tell us if he would!"

And suddenly, Mr Ricardo began to reflect What, after all, could

he have told them?

And that question he turned over in his mind while he ate his

luncheon Hanaud wrote a letter between the courses They were

sitting at a corner table, and Hanaud was in the corner with his

back to the wall He moved his plate, too, over the letter as he